JOHN COPELAND:
John Copeland has been very busy with projects for the Discovery Channel. He produced 2 shows coming on the Discovery channel next month. Alien Planet will air on May 14 -- it is a 2 hour special and will be on at 8pm and again at 10pm. The other is on May 17th called the Science of StarWars.

Joe announced a "yard sale" of materials he will be making available at ebay.com over the next several weeks. Be sure to visit www.ebay.com and search on seller "babylon5auctions" to find some truly unique materials straight from the Great Maker.

IN MEMORY OF

Richard Biggs, the wonderful Dr. Stephen Franklin on Babylon 5, died last year on May 22 of an brain anyerism. There are many efforts underway to help with his two small children. Be sure to go to the Richard Biggs Memorial Page for more information.



Tim Choate, who so marvelously brought Zathras to Babylon 5, was killed when he was struck by a car while going to a play rehearsal on his motorcycle. A memorial fund has been set up for Tim's son Flynn. The address for the memorial fund is:

The Tim Choate Memorial Fund
P.O. Box 861355
Los Angeles, CA 90086

Theodore Bikel - May 2
Michael O'Hare - May 6
Stephen Furst - May 8
Melissa Gilbert-Boxleitner - May 8
Bruce Boxleitner - May 12
Andreas Katsulas - May 18
Andrea Thompson - May 22
Doug Wise - May 21
Douglas Netter - May 23
Paul Winfield - May 22
Roy Dotrice - May 26
Harlan Ellison - May 27

Have I missed anyone? If you know the birthday of someone connected with Babylon 5, pass the information along. We want to include everyone in our Happy Birthday Wishes.

CONSTANTINE:
Warner Home Video has announced a July 19 release for Constantine on DVD. The film, starring Keanu Reeves in an adaptation of DC Comics' Hellblazer, has made $74.1 million domestically at the box office.

The Deluxe Edition includes audio commentaries (director Francis Lawrence, producer Akiva Goldsman and screenwriters Kevin Brodbin and Frank Capello), 18 minutes of deleted scenes (including an alternate ending) with optional commentary by director Francis Lawrence, "The Production From Hell," "Imagining the Underworld" (includes a 'Demon Face' Easter Egg), "Foresight: The Power of Pre-Visualization" and "Conjuring Constantine" featurettes, A Perfect Circle's "Passive" music video, theatrical trailers, DVD-ROM content and a collectible Hellblazer comic.

Warner describes the film in this way:
: "Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo Hellblazer graphic novels and written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, Constantine tells the story of John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), a man who has literally been to hell and back. When he teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles. Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost."

The DVD will feature 18 minutes of additional scenes.

RACING STRIPES Here is some terrific family fun! Root for the underzebra when Racing Stripes comes to DVD and VHS on May 10 from Warner Home Video. The barnyard ballyhoo features the voices of Frankie Muniz (Agent Cody Banks movies, TV's "Malcolm in the Middle"), Jeff Foxworthy (Blue Collar Comedy Tour), Snoop Dogg (Starsky & Hutch, Soul Plane), Steve Harvey (You Got Served, The Fighting Temptations), David Spade (Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star, Just Shoot Me), Dustin Hoffman (Meet the Fockers, Finding Neverland), Mandy Moore (A Walk to Remember, Saved!) and Whoopi Goldberg (Sister Act, Ghost). The Racing Stripes DVD special features include three making-of featurettes, additional scenes, an interactive comic book and more!

For more information, go to our Racing Stripes page.

Universal Studios Home Entertainment will release a "Jaws 30th Anniversary Edition," two-DVD set loaded with extras, including a two-hour documentary about the movie, on June 14th. Additional bonus material will include deleted scenes and outtakes as well as production photos, and story boards. They are also including "a rarely seen interview with Spielberg on the set of the film." The DVD will retail for about $23.

STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE:
Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete First Season will be released on May 3. You will find a sticker on the packaging promoting the show's 2-hour finale on 5/13 on UPN.

Paramount has confirmed the DVD release of Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Second Season on 7/26 (two weeks later than the previously announced 7/14 date). The 7-disc set will include all 26 second season episodes in anamorphic widescreen video with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. There's no word yet on extras other than that the set will include 5 behind-the-scenes featurettes.

Brace yourself for the DVD release of the innovative HBO series that has been favorably compared to The Twilight Zone and Tales From the Crypt. Ten terrifying tales that turned every late night into fright night… The Hitchhiker: Volume II.

For more information on this new DVD release, go to The Hitchhiker page here at The Zocalo Today.

THE WEST WING: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON COMES TO DVD ON APRIL 5, 2005

The Emmy-Award Winning Fourth Season will be Available on a
Six-disc Collector's Set Loaded with Never-Before-Seen Special Features Including Deleted Scenes, Special
Featurettes, Episode Commentary and More

Follow President Josiah Bartlet from re-election into his second term when Warner Home Video (WHV) releases The West Wing: The Complete Fourth Season on DVD on April 5, 2005. The six-disc collector's set includes all 22 episodes of the series' fourth season, which garnered 15 Emmy nominations and two wins for Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. The DVD set will be available for $59.98 SRP.

Visit The West Wing page for more information on this new release.

WONDER WOMAN: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

June 7 has been set for the release by Warner Home Video of WONDER WOMAN: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON and LOIS & CLARK: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON.
Lynda Carter returns as Wonder Woman for all 24 episodes of the third and final season of the series. Teamed with government agent Steve Trevor (Lyle Waggoner) and using the alias of Diana Prince, Wonder Woman whips out her bracelets and lariat to battle evil. Her foes include a time traveler from the year 2155, a brain with no body, a dating service that's serving up death, hungry ants and a sculptor whose statues come to life and become his partners in crime. Wonder Woman saved the best adventures for last!"

The Lois & Clark collection brings you Dean Cain and Terry Hatcher in this action-packed Superman update. Originally aired in the 90's on ABC, this humorously romantic action/adventure hour-long series puts a modern twist on the time-honored, legendary superhero, bringing to life the comic book characters Clark Kent; his superhuman alter-ego, Superman; and Lois Lane, fiction's first lady of the press, in the most unrequited romance of all time."

We have a lot of information on new WB DVDs. Visit our NEW DVD Page for press releases and video clips that may be of interest to you. Information includes KUNG FU, MI-5, Carnivale, Troy, The Matrix, and more.

Visit to the Review Page for a review of the DVD sets.

First there was the blockbuster Stargate movie, then the smash hit TV series Stargate SG-1, and now there's the equally successful spin-off show: Stargate Atlantis! The official companion to the first season is packed with behind the scenes interviews, an episode guide, and scores of photos, including a 16-page color gallery! (133/1-84576-116-2)

SC, 6x9, 176pgs, PC..........$14.95

STARGATE SG-1

Book 4 in the new series of STARGATE SG-1 novels is being published on 18 April.

Entitled "City of the Gods", it is written by Sonny Whitelaw and follows the team as they encounter an Aztec culture on an unstable, tectonically active moon. As Jack would say, that spells earthquakes, lots of 'em... Join the team for a ringside seat at the end of the world! For more information, visit www.stargatenovels.com/cityofthegods.shtml.

Ranger Tom reports that Amazon.co.uk have also done a pretty good job of stocking the books, although occasionally they fail to keep up with demand and one of the titles will go out of stock. This means you see the message, "usually dispatched within 4 to 6 weeks", but generally they restock the books within 3-4 days. www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0954734335/stargasg1nove-21

You can also order it from website - www.stargatenovels.com/bookshop.php.. You can also pre-order the latest book now, and we will do everything we can to ship it on 18 April.

BABYLON 5 NOVELS COMING

Mongoose Publishing is proud to announce an agreement with Warner Brothers to produce an all new range of novels and graphic novels for Babylon 5. They promise some exciting tales lined up, delving into never-before- explored areas of the Babylon 5 universe and expanding the storyline beyond the TV series. Releases will begin appearing in Q4 2005 - more news on authors and storylines coming soon! Thanks Ranger Joe for the report.

Cult Times #116: Alias' Producer Jeffrey Bell is writing and directing for the increasingly cross- pollinating family and work lives of Sydney Bristow. We find out what's coming up for the super-spy in this feature.

Starburst Special #69: STAR WARS SPECIAL: This issue contains: The Complete History -- From The Phantom Menace to Return of the Jedi, we look at the complete six-chapter epic; Dark Influences -- 10 ways the Star Wars trilogy has influenced Revenge of the Sith, and Archive Interviews -- Original Starburst interviews with Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Empire Strikes Back director Irvin Kirshner and Return of the Jedi director Richard Marquand.

Starburst #323: DOCTOR WHO: Inside this issue, the latest Doctor, Christopher Eccleston , talks about eight months of filming, what the part meant to him, and the genius of writer Russell T. Davies. Also inside: Captain Jonathan Archer himself, Scott Bakula, talks about the passing of the series and looks back at its debut year.

TV Zone #188: Doctor Who 2005: The series returns to television – at last! – stars Christopher Eccleston and Billie Piper chat about about stepping aboard the TARDIS. Also included: Captain Scarlet - Following his work on Babylon 5, effects maestro Ron Thornton was recruited to save Gerry Anderson’s New Captain Scarlet. He explains how he got the project back on track…

TV Zone Special #62: If you are a fan of CSI, this issue is for you. Inside you will find cast interviews with Marg Helgenberger as she talks about bringing beauty and brains to Vegas as CSI’s Catherine Willows; CSI: Miami’s David Caruso discusses his second shot at TV fame and CSI: New York’s Melina Kanakeredes explains how she became the Big Apple’s Guardian Angel. Also in this issue, STARGATE ATLANTIS' Design Department team goes through the first series with an exclusive look at the design sketches of their creations and Battlestar Galactica's Richard Hatch tells us how he came to love the updated version of the show he’d fought to bring back.

Tye Bourdony has sent along his latest satires for your enjoyment.

Dynamic Forces, the parent company of Dynamite Entertainment, announced on Thursday an agreement with Universal Studios Consumer Product Group to release comics based on the modern version of Battlestar Galactica. The comic series will launch this fall. No creators were announced.

"We are confident in Dynamite Entertainment's ability to develop and distribute high-quality comics that will build off of the strength and staying power of this great property," said Cynthia Modders, senior vice president of sales and retail development at Universal Studios Consumer Products Group.

Battlestar Galactica was re-imagined by Sci Fi Channel and NBC Universal Television Studio in December 2003 in the form of a four-hour mini-series event. Battlestar Galactica became the most-watched cable miniseries of the year and led Sci Fi to continue with a one-hour weekly series.

SERENITY #1
by Joss Whedon, Brett Matthews & Will Conrad

This mini-series is based on Serenity - the big-budget feature follow-up to Josh Whedon's cult-hit TV show Firefly - which follows the story of a rag-tag crew of mercenaries, outlaws, fugitives, and one law-abiding prostitute running across the fringes of space. The crew of Serenity once again find themselves broke and on the wrong side of a number of very large firearms, making the first issue a case study in how to mix intense, Whedon-style character interaction with cinematic action and violence.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #522

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, penciled by Mike Deodato, cover by Kaare Andrews.
It's an action-packed extravaganza as the hordes of Hydra make a final push to take over the United States!! And it's up to everyone's favorite red, white, and blue web-slinger to make sure that "Hail Hydra" isn't the new national anthem!

FANTASTIC FOUR #529

Written by J. Michael Straczynski, pencils and cover by Mike McKone.
"Appointment Overdue!" Reed's got a rendezvous to keep at the edge of space‹but in order to reach it, he's going to have to work his way through a battalion of America's best-trained fighting men!

STARGATE SG-1 RA REBORN PREQUEL CARTER & JACKSON

Written by James Anthony, art and cover by Jorge Correa.
Series artist Jorge Correa provides this striking new cover of team members Samantha Carter and Daniel Jackson! The SG-1 team must face their ultimate foe once more! As Daniel Jackson recounts the story of the first Stargate mission, a familiar presence reappears on Abydonian soil. Has the most feared Goa'uld of all time been reborn from the ashes to terrorize the universe again? The longest running hit scifi series on television blasts into 2005 with a titanic new series that features the return of Ra! Limited to 1000 copies.

STARGATE SG-1: DANIEL'S SONG #1 ROYAL BLUE

Written by James Anthony, art and cover by Jorge Correa.
Royal Blue editions are the ultimate collectible! The SG1 team discovers an ancient alien device that promises to bring "peace to the past." While attempting to decipher its glyphs a sudden electrical discharge engulfs and throws Daniel unconscious to the ground. He wakes on Abydos to find Skaa'ra and Sha're are still alive and free of Goa'uld possession. Somehow he has been transported into the past before the arrival of Apophis and has been given another chance to save his wife and the people of Abydos. Determined not to make the same mistakes again Daniel prepares an ambush for the System Lord in an attempt to change the outcome of this pivotal moment in his life. Limited to 100 copies, all of which ship bagged in a special protective case with a certificate of authenticity.

STARGATE SG-1 2005 CONVENTION SPECIAL EVIL NOX EDITION

Written by James Anthony, art by Jorge Correa, cover by Mauricio Melo.
The SG-1 team is facing the foe they never expected, one of the Nox gone bad on this exclusive new cover from artist Mauricio Melo! Pinned down by invisible attackers the SG1 team discovers that the Goa'uld have uncovered the secrets to the Nox invisibility technology. They appear on the verge of being overrun when Anteaus and his Nox companions appear among them and help dispatch the attacking Jaffa. Anteaus reveals that one of their own has turned from the peaceful life journey to embrace the Goa'uld philosophy. The team is forced to find a way to stop the traitor before she can make the already powerful Goa'uld invincible! Limited to 1000 copies.

STARGATE ATLANTIS PREVIEW PAINTED WEIR

Written by Stuart Moore, art by Mauricio Melo, cover by Lucio Rubira.
Painter Lucio Rubira offers this beautiful new piece featuring the commanding Dr Weir. Don't miss this special look at this summer's biggest licensed comic book launch! This limited edition preview offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the new Stargate Atlantis comic and the first series, Wraithfall! Stationed thousands of light-years from Earth, the team from Stargate Atlantis has a whole new galaxy to explore...but most of those worlds are under siege by the Wraith, an ancient and deadly vampire race. In Wraithfall, the Atlantis team meets the Karrans, a primitive race that has made a bizarre deal with the Wraith. Limited to 1000 copies.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #519

Amazing Spider-Man #519 will arrive in stores on Wednesday from Marvel Comics. The issue is written by J. Michael Straczynski, with art and cover by Mike Deodato.

Here's how Marvel describes the issue:
"'New Avengers,' part 1 of 6. Trump Tower has nothing on Spider-ManŠ Springing out of the pages of New Avengers, you won¹t believe what the fickle hand of fate has in store for Peter Parker, Mary Jane, and Aunt May..."

Amazing Spider-Man #519 will be 32 pages and will cost $2.99.

J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI'S DREAM POLICE

Date: 3/27/2005 9:58:19 PM
Babylon 5 Moderated Newsgroup

I'd mentioned a while back that I would remind folks when the stores would begin taking orders for Dream Police...so this is it.

Dream Police will appear as a one-shot on June 22nd, but Marvel has a tendency to print to orders, so if you don't order it up front, it may not be available. Apparently interest is high, so I have a sneaking suspicion this one may disappear fast.

Basically, the premise of Dream Police -- which has been in the works for a long time now, and finally seeing print -- is that we all enter the dreamscape when we fall asleep, and the denizens of said dreamscape all play their roles...but when someone doesn't do their job, or a crime against dreamers is committed, the Dream Police come in.

The thing is...the Dream Police are plain clothes detectives and beat cops who walk, talk and behave like characters out of the Maltese Falcon, or Dragnet, or Adam 12, that very literal, staccato, clipped back-and-forth style of dialogue.

So what you've got is a very funny, weird, surreal book that puts these very noir characters up against the dreamscape...and I'm just pleased as punch with the result.

Hence, this recommendation. There's no long arc to sign onto, just the one issue, but it's just a hoot and a half to read. It's from Marvel under the Icon imprint, and I commend it highly to all B5 folks.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #521
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by MIKE DEODATO

"MOVING UP" Spidey just can't seem to catch a break these days. He's got a great new pad and a cool new clique ­ so what's the big problem? Oh, not much-- just a nefarious worldwide organization with an ingenious plan to conquer the world! Hail HYDRA! Part 3 (of 6).

FANTASTIC FOUR #528
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils and Cover by MIKE MCKONE

"Random Factors" As Ben revels in his newfound wealth and status, an act of sabotage may well jeopardize Reed's secret project--and a visit from state officials has dire ramifications for Sue and the rest of the Richards clan.

SUPREME POWER #17
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & Cover by GARY FRANK

"The Deconstruction of Mark Milton" concludes: There's love in the air for Doctor Spectrum and a certain amphibious creature...and a storm on the horizon for Hyperion. Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.

MAY TITLES:

AMAZING SPIDERMAN
Written by J. Michael Straczynski, art and cover by Mike Deodato.

In this tale for the ages, written by Stupendous J. Michael Straczynski and penciled by Magnificent Mike Deodato, Peter and the family are forced to deal with the radical changes in their lives. Straight from the pages of the New Avengers. Part 2 of 5.

32 pages, $2.25, in stores on May 25.

STRANGE #6
Written by J. Michael Straczynski and Samm Barnes, art and cover Brandon Peterson.

On their journey to discover Blackthroat, Marco and Director Joel Cameron's crew end up on a dark island in the heart of the Bermuda Triangle. Plotting to fuel Marco's thirst for revenge, Cameron hatches a trap with Jeanine's life in the balance. As the small crew turns on one another they soon learn that this island is not as deserted as it seems; it is home to an ancient clan of vampires whose dark secret has ramifications for all of humanity.

32 pages, $3.50, in stores on May 18.

FANTASTIC FOUR #527
Marvel Comics has announced a 50/50 variant cover for Fantastic Four #527, the first issue by the new creative team of J. Michael Straczynski and Mike McKone.

"'Distant Music' -- a new arc begins here. Just in time for movie season, new ongoing creative team J. Michael Straczynski and Mike McKone unite their talents to chart a new course for the world's greatest comic magazine! First up: an intriguing offer for a conflicted Reed, and a windfall for Ben!"

Fantastic Four #527 is scheduled to be in stores on May 25.

In addition, Marvel is preparing a Director's Cut version of the issue, scheduled for release on June 22, the same day as Fantastic Four #528. The issue will include the contents of the regular edition of #527, as well as a script, interviews and sketch art. It will cost $3.99.

JMS COMIC BOOKS: For a listing of current comic books written by J. Michael Straczynski, go to COMIC BOOK page. There is a brief synopsis of the book and a date when publication is expected.

STARGATE ATLANTIS:
05/13/2005 09:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS HOME
05/13/2005 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS HOME
05/20/2005 09:00 PM STARGATE ATLANTIS THE STORM
05/20/2005 12:00 AM STARGATE ATLANTIS THE STORM

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA:
05/13/2005 10:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA LITMUS
05/13/2005 01:00 AM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA LITMUS
05/19/2005 08:00 AM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) FIRE IN SPACE
05/19/2005 09:00 AM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) THE YOUNG LORDS
05/19/2005 10:00 AM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) THE LONG PATROL
05/19/2005 11:00 AM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) THE LIVING LEGEND PART 1
05/19/2005 12:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) THE LIVING LEGEND PART 2
05/19/2005 01:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) THE MAGNIFICENT WARRIORS
05/19/2005 02:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) WAR OF THE GODS PART 1
05/19/2005 03:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (1970S) WAR OF THE GODS PART 2
05/20/2005 10:00 PM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION
05/20/2005 01:00 AM BATTLESTAR GALACTICA 6 DEGREES OF SEPARATION

For more information, go to http://www.leprecon.org/lep31/lep_31_012.htm

Be sure to visit the referenced sites to see if there have been changes in dates/guests attending. Visit our Convention Calendar for a full listing of upcoming conventions.

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